What was the playhouse?

The Playhouse was a theater in London that was built in 1599 by Francis Langley, a theater manager and actor. It was the first purpose-built theater in London and was located in the Shoreditch area. The playhouse was a great success and was patronized by Queen Elizabeth I and many of the leading actors and writers of the time, including William Shakespeare.

*Construction and Design*

The playhouse was constructed in a typical Elizabethan style and was made of wood and plaster. It had a rectangular shape and was open to the sky, although a roof was later added to protect the audience from the elements. The stage was located at one end of the theater and was raised above the level of the audience. There were no seats in the theater and the audience stood on the ground or sat on simple benches. The stage was lit by candles and torches.

*Theatrical Productions*

The playhouse was used for a variety of theatrical productions, including plays, masques, and pageants. Shakespeare wrote many of his plays specifically for the playhouse and they were often performed there, including "Hamlet", "Othello", and "King Lear". The playhouse also hosted plays by other playwrights, such as Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and Thomas Dekker.

*Closure*

The playhouse was closed down in 1642 by the Puritans, who considered theaters to be immoral and a distraction from religious life. The theater was demolished soon after and the site is now occupied by Curlew Street.

The playhouse was an important part of Elizabethan theater and its closure marked the end of an era. However, it had a lasting impact on theater and its design and construction influenced the development of theaters around the world.